I want to know where these fish are sold and for how much? I talked to some Lummi gillnetters and they couldn't even give the silvers away! They were selling them for $2.50/lb and not able to sell all the catch. I guess the chum eggs were more profitable. All the while the tribe is getting grants to support the "fishermen" through loans to buy new boats and gear. I don't have the numbers in front of me but it would probably cost less to subsidize the lost income of the netter (pay them not to net) and still produce enough fish for ceremonial and recreational fishing. I haven't seen the numbers but it almost sounds like the act of netting these fish is actually a loss of money when the hatchery rearing costs are considered with the subsidies currently given to the tribal netters for gear and gas. I costs millions to raise these fish, how much is the harvest worth. It sounds like a wealth redistribution racket whereby the $ is laundered through the ocean into the netters pocket.

To be fare, every hatchery fish has a price tag. What benefit to the local economy would a strong recreational fishery have and who would benefit? At least when the fish are harvested and sold there is an apples to apples comparison.